'Bed rotting': The rise of lazy days among Kenyan youth

Shirleen Mwai, 22, says she often spends a whole day in bed on weekends, fiddling with her phone, in her small world.

“This quiet habit of spending long hours alone is becoming more common among people my age,” says Mwai who lives and works in Nairobi.

Mwai says that this is not some passing fad – as many young people are doing it silently. That the behaviour is common among young men and women who don’t live with their parents.

“I feel that bed rotting can be destructive. Imagine staying in bed a whole day doing nothing except chatting up people and watching videos on social media,” says Mwai.

The trend has gained so much silent momentum that friends are now inviting each other over to ‘come rot in bed together’.

James Oliech who just recently moved out of his parents’ house is already a dedicated disciple of ‘bed rotting’.

“I sometimes find myself staying in bed a whole day watching reels on my phone, eating snacks, or just lying still. I cannot help it because what else is there to do when am not out hustling,” says James.

“It’s not that I am sick or lazy. I just don’t feel like doing anything sometimes. I feel that’s okay, although my father would never allow that in his house,” says James.

In a world that constantly demands movement, this stillness is starting to feel like rest to many young people.

To them, the concept of rest has changed ever since things went digital.

Between school, work, side hustles, rising cost of living, and pressure from social media, many young Kenyans says that they are simply burnt out.

Many feel that spending a whole day in bed is one way to pause everything and take a break from the pressure.

Some mental health experts say that short periods of rest like this aren’t necessarily a bad thing; the mind needs downtime, especially in fast-paced environments.

According to Mwai, staying indoors isn’t just about rest, it’s also the most affordable option for many young people.

“Going out means spending money on transport, food, outfits, and activities. In tough economic times, staying in bed is sometimes the cheapest plan for the weekend. It’s quiet. It’s safe. And it costs nothing,” says Mwai.

“Not every moment needs to be productive. Sometimes, doing nothing is exactly what your body and mind need,” says Oliech, adding that people should rest without feeling guilty.

But while occasional lazy days are harmless, problems can arise if they become frequent or difficult to snap out of.

If one finds it hard to get out of bed for days in a row, avoids daily tasks, or starts feeling disconnected from life, it could be a sign of burnout or depression. In such cases, it’s important to talk to someone and seek help.